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GLG News by this Author

Biofuels – Just One Component Of A Long Term Solution

October 31, 2009

Analysis of:Biofuels do harm, aren't they? | pellets-wood.com

Biofuels are fuels such as bioethanol, biobutanol or biodiesel made from plant or less commonly animal material or food waste. Bioethanol and biobutanol are typically used to reduce the amount of gasoline used while biodiesel is used to lower the amount of diesel fuel used. Although the first generation biofuels are not economically viable, second generation biofuels should be more economically attractive and thus part of a strategy to reduce long term our dependence on fossil fuel.

Strong Performance Positive Image

October 17, 2009

Analysis of:INEOS Nitriles breakthough secures global supply of Acetonitrile | www.yourpetrochemicalnews.com

Meeting customer requirements for the INEOS Nitriles business has a positive history dating back to the commercialization of acrylonitrile by SOHIO in 1960. This increase in acetonitrile production should only enhance their image as a preferred supplier, which would acrylonitrile.

Salicornia Bigelovii - Oil Du Jour

October 11, 2009

Analysis of:Boeing, Honeywell's UOP, Masdar Institute and Industry Team Launch Study of Jet Fuel Made from Saltwater Plants | www.yourdefencenews.com

We have seen this time and time again – a new oil that can be transesterified to a biodiesel fuel. But as we have discussed several times previously, cost is critical, specifically the feedstock cost. So this study will simply tell us again, a defined cost structure that will be challenged to beat fossil fuel short term, if the economics see the light of day.

Cost Is Critical

September 14, 2009

Analysis of:Biodegradable waste bags "more damaging" than PE | www.europeanplasticsnews.com

Cost is usually the driver for usage of plastic products. The price performance curve is more than likely more important for customer purchases than an apparent less competitive greenness versus high volume commodity polymers such as polyethylene.

The Time Is Right

July 21, 2009

Analysis of:Sasol to establish GTL plant in Uzbekistan | www.ogj.com

The gas to liquids (GTL) process may be an attractive technology to monetize remote, stranded gas reserves which cannot economically be moved by pipeline or converted into liquefied natural gas. A partnership between Sasol, Petronas and the Uzbekistan oil and gas company Uzbekneftegaz is very positive.

Basic Business Principles

July 18, 2009

Analysis of:In Strategy Shift, Exxon Plans $600 Million Biofuels Venture | online.wsj.com

The use of algae oil as a feedstock for biofuels, in the future, may be one component of a multifaceted strategy to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel. Exxon brings substantial commercial experience to the team but its strength in energy research and development and capital investments for economic manufacturing facilities will only be useful if Synthetic Genomics can identify algae strains that can meet commercial requirements.

Too Early For This Hype

July 1, 2009

Analysis of:BP and Synthetic Genomics Develop Bacteria that Convert Coal to Methane | www.chemweek.com

Conversion of coal to methane using bugs sounds great but the lack of data and information suggests that this process has a long way to go prior to any viable, economic commercialization.

The Economy Will Be The Driver On Polyester Production And Use

March 27, 2009

Analysis of:How Big Is That Widening Gyre of Floating Plastic? | online.wsj.com

Although reduction can be an important step in lowering plastic utilization, the 20% reduction in weight for PepsiCo’s Aquafina water bottle is a drop in the bucket compared to overall polyester bottle resin production and usage.  Pollution, caused by humans, is typically not a driver for lowering the use of plastics although almost two decades ago McDonalds stopped using Styrofoam clamshells because of public pressure.

What Is The Cost Driver For Biodiesel Production?

March 17, 2009

Analysis of:New biodiesel from mustard and camelina developed in Chile | www.autobloggreen.com

These are neither new ideas nor are they new feedstocks for biodiesel production.  For the production of biodiesel from any oil, a novel idea would be an economical process.

Does This Make Economic Sense?

February 23, 2009

Analysis of:BP jumps into next-generation biofuels with plans to build Florida refinery | online.wsj.com

I understand that BP has devoted substantial investments for research, development and demonstration projects associated with technology to produce today and tomorrow’s advanced biofuels.  But commercialization of a capital project to produce 36,000,000 gallons of cellulosic ethanol for a cost upwards of $300 million stretches economic sense. 

Economics Is Still The Critical Component

January 28, 2009

Analysis of: New Biomass-to-Energy Plant to Create Green Jobs around Milltown, Indiana - The Green Jobs Report | gather.com

The critical issue facing biomass to energy will be economics.  As was pointed out in this article, fuel costs will be kept low by sizing and locating the plant properly.  But for how long will the low cost fuel be available once the suppliers understand and appreciate that their low cost waste will be used more profitably somewhere else; in other words, there is more value to their waste than they anticipated.

Algae Oil As A Feedstock - Economics Will Be The Driver

October 13, 2008

Analysis of:Petro Algae Sees Pond Scrum As Fuel | www.miamiherald.com

The use of algae oil as a feedstock for biodiesel, in the future, may be one component of a multifaceted strategy to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel.  But its use will be contingent upon the economic viability of the overall process to produce the oil, transesterify to a biodiesel meeting ASTM requirements and selling or disposing of the waste side products.

Natural Gas Utilization - Need Options

September 3, 2008

Analysis of:Surge in Natural Gas Has Utah Driving Cheaply | www.nytimes.com

The use of compressed natural gas (CNG) as a fuel for vehicles was an important component of Pickens' Plan to use wind energy.  Utah has been able to take advantage of the cost structure of natural gas in Utah and an infrastructure for delivery to assist in the use of CNG as a fuel.  But their example also demonstrates the difficulties with the use of CNG as a fuel.

We Need To Start Somewhere, And Soon

July 14, 2008

Analysis of:Billionaire Texas oilman spend $58m on alternative energy campaign | www.guardian.co.uk

T. Boone Pickens has recently been pushing a fairly comprehensive plan to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.  He is placing his money where his mouth is and obviously is looking to make a profit too.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

June 24, 2008

Analysis of:Global Warming Meets Peak Oil | windnh3.blogspot.com

The major challenge to changing our use of fossil fuel and at the same time lowering greenhouse gas emissions will continually be economics.  As long as it is less expensive and easier to use fossil fuels as our feedstocks, alternatives will have a large hurdle to overcome to successfully replace crude oil and its products.

Large Scale Production Of Commodity Chemicals And Polymers

June 16, 2008

Analysis of:Refiners Face Obstacles to Processing Cheaper, Dirtier Crude Oil | online.wsj.com

To date, there has not been a commercially and economically viable alternative to consumer commodity plastic products based on chemicals produced from fossil fuel. 

The Potential Value Of Oil From The Artic National Wildlife Refuge

June 6, 2008

Analysis of:U.S. has oil, but has chosen not to use it | www.azstarnet.com

It is valuable to assess the potential quantity of oil that can be produced from the Artic National Wildlife Refuge and then determine if drilling is justified in such a pristine environment.  A risk reward evaluation needs to start with a solid understanding of the reward, in this case, how much oil is available and for how long can it be pumped economically.

Let Big Oil Capitalize On Their Respective Strengths

June 3, 2008

Analysis of:Oil Companies eschew renewable energy | www.iht.com

Integrated oil companies have several strengths - finding oil and getting it out of the ground and refining this oil into fuel and chemicals.  They are expert in capital usage and developing efficient technology to ensure a highly profitable business.  But their expertise does not necessarily include resources needed to develop greener fuel from renewable resources.

Do We Really Want Big Oil Developing Greener Fuels?

May 23, 2008

Analysis of:Oil Companies and Greenwashing | www.triplepundit.com

Integrated oil companies have several strengths - finding oil, getting it out of the ground and refining this oil into fuel and chemicals.  They are expert in capital usage and developing efficient technology to ensure a highly profitable business.  But their expertise does not necessarily include resources needed to develop greener fuel from renewable resources.

Ethanol - Why Not Biobutanol?

May 12, 2008

Analysis of:The Biofuels Backlash | online.wsj.com

The next generation of biofuels will need to better address compatibility with the existing gasoline supply and its distribution systems and improved fuel economy.  Biobutanol can meet these objectives.

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